Scott Howard-Cooper

Kansas' Thomas Robinson (right) may be looking up at only one other player in the June Draft.

Jeff Jacobsen/Kansas Athletics

Tournament revealed little new about Draft's wannabes

Posted Apr 4 2012 9:07AM

The post-tournament analysis is easy. Kentucky earned the title with an uncommon level of composure for a team that relied heavily on freshmen. This is no ordinary No. 1.

The impact on the NBA Draft, meanwhile, is not as clear, although it is a safe bet that the impact of the tournament on the June 28 selections will be oversold by some. The fact is, no one played at a significantly different level during the tournament compared to the rest of the season.

Among the notables, Kendall Marshall of North Carolina boosted his stock before a broken wrist. NBA front offices were sending out a search party for Marshall's teammate, Harrison Barnes. But both trends can be reversed. Nothing happened for anyone that cannot be undone with nearly three months before the selections.

The real perspective on the value general managers put on the tournament?

Kyrie Irving played hurt last season at Duke in the only test under the brightest lights of his college career and was still the clear choice as the first pick. He separated himself from Derrick Williams, one of the postseason stars, with an abbreviated regular season and the private showcase for the Cavaliers. And now he's going to win Rookie of the Year.

Enes Kanter did not play last season while serving an NCAA suspension at Kentucky for receiving improper benefits while previously with a Turkish team. His "games" were limited to practicing with the Wildcats. Because of the long layoff, no one in the entire Draft was surrounded by as many urgent questions about his level of play. No freshman campaign, no tournament ... and he still went No. 3 to the Jazz.

With that in mind, the post-tournament mock draft, reflecting front-office impressions of the last few weeks of games and players who announced in recent days they are staying in school:

Top 30 NBA Draft Prospects

Rank

Player

Height

Weight

Position

School

Comments

1.

Anthony Davis

6-10

220

PF

Kentucky

The best player on the best team.

2.

Thomas Robinson

6-10

237

PF-SF

Kansas

From 2011 shadow of the Morris twins to good chance for the top five.

3.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

6-7

210

SF

Kentucky

Versatile wing defender played his way up the board as a freshman.

4.

Bradley Beal

6-5

195

SG

Florida

Prototype shooting-guard game and the ability to pass as well.

5.

Andre Drummond

6-11

275

C

Connecticut

A physical marvel who will go early on potential alone.

6.

Harrison Barnes

6-8

210

SF

North Carolina

Scorer must continue to compensate for lack of athleticism.

7.

Jared Sullinger

6-9

280

PF

Ohio State

True power player who knows how to score inside and rebound.

8.

Jeremy Lamb

6-5

185

SG

Connecticut

Fluid wing will score from most spots on the court.

9.

Cody Zeller

6-11

210

C

Indiana

The younger brother of better-known Tyler impresses with offense.

10.

James Michael McAdoo

6-9

220

SF

North Carolina

Gets noticed despite understated role on a team with several lottery picks.

11.

Damian Lillard

6-2

185

PG

Weber State

The top point guard on the board is a scoring point.

12.

Perry Jones

6-11

235

PF

Baylor

Enigmatic sophomore will be a high risk-high reward pick.

13.

John Henson

6-10

220

PF

North Carolina Potential as major defensive presence will increase with more muscle.

14.

Kendall Marshall

6-4

195

PG

North Carolina

Moved up with nice postseason before breaking right (non-shooting) wrist.

15.

Meyers Leonard

7-0

245

C

Illinois

Mobile 7-footer can pass and has a shooting touch. Needs strength.

16.

Austin Rivers

6-4

203

SG

Duke

The preseason hype slowed on Docs son, but the NBA interest did not.

17.

Terrence Jones

6-9

244

SF

Kentucky

Lottery talent has yet to harness the potential or consistent energy.

18.

Tyler Zeller

6-11

240

C

North Carolina

Nice offensive skills, but lack of strength a concern.

19.

Arnett Moultrie

6-10

230

PF

Mississippi State

Scores inside and out with good speed and mobility for a big.

20.

Tony Wroten

6-5

205

SG-PG

Washington

Freshman combo guard could climb.

21.

Jeffrey Taylor

6-7

225

SF

Vanderbilt

Standout defender who uses big-time bursts to get to the basket as well.

22.

Quincy Miller

6-9

210

SF

Baylor

Talent wrapped in inexperience and a season coming off knee surgery.

23.

Moe Harkless

6-8

210

SF

St. Johns

Big East Rookie of the Year scores and a great rebounder.

24.

John Jenkins

6-4

205

SG

Vanderbilt

One of the best shooters on the board, with deep range.

25.

Terrence Ross

6-6

195

SG

Washington

Emerging sophomore can play either wing.

26.

Andrew Nicholson

6-9

225

PF

St. Bonaventure

Can score from the perimeter or the post.

27.

Mason Plumlee

6-10

235

PF

Duke

Teams will take that size and mobility and mold it into something.

28.

Dion Waiters

6-4

215

SG-PG

Syracuse

Scoring combo guard came off the bench for Orangemen.

29.

Draymond Green

6-7

235

SF

Michigan St.

Versatile and experienced, but likely cant play power forward as in college.

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